The Evolution of Bruno Mars

Peter Gene Hernandez, also known as 'Bruno Mars,' was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, by a family of musicians.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
The nickname Bruno was given to him as a baby because of his resemblance to legendary professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
At the age of 4, he joined the family musical act as an Elvis impersonator.
<br><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: <a style="font-size: 9px;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFDcVvDB1Ko" target="new">YouTube</a></span>
After high school, Mars moves to Los Angeles. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, hesigned to Motown Records in 2004. It was a deal that "went nowhere."
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Courtesy of Motown Records</span>
After Bruno was dropped by Universal Motown, he landed a music publishing deal in 2005 with Steve Lindsey and Cameron Strang at Westside Independent, joining production team The Smeezingtons.
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Bruno Mars' senior year headshot is super cute.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library</span>
Before becoming a successful solo artist, Mars was an acknowledged music producer, writing songs for many artists such as Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Brandy, Sean Kingston Flo Rida and Far East Movement.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photos: Getty Images</span>
Bruno Mars co-wrote Cee Lo Green's "F*ck You."
<br><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: <a style="font-size: 9px;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0mxOXbWIU" target="new">YouTube</a></span>
Bruno Mars also co-wrote Justin Bieber's "Love Me."
<br><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: <a style="font-size: 9px;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdDVtFvJwUc" target="new">YouTube</a></span>
As part of the Smeezingtons, he became recognized as a solo artist after lending his vocals to the songs "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B. The track turned out to be an enormous hit, skyrocketing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and instantly transformed Bruno Mars from a behind-the-scenes composer into a pop performer.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Bruno also co-wrote Travie McCoy's "Billionaire." He came up with the lyrical concept for "Billionaire" during a trip to London, where he was given £240 ($350) by his record label to spend for 11 days.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Bruno Mars' debut album, <i>Doo-Wops & Hooligans</i> was released digitally on October 4, and saw its physical release on October 5, 2010.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Courtesy of Elektra Records</span>
When Mars released his second single "Grenade"on September 28, 2010, it hit number 1 in over 14 different countries and went 5x platinum in the USA.
<br><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: <a style="font-size: 9px;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR6iYWJxHqs" target="new">YouTube</a></span>
Mars opened for Maroon 5 on the fall leg of their Hands All Over Tour, which started October 6, 2010
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
On February 13, 2011, Mars won his first Grammy award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his song "Just The Way You Are."
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
In fact, Bruno Mars actually received six nominations; Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Nothin' on You," Record of the Year for "Nothin' on You" and "Fuck Y*u", Song of the Year for "Fuck Y*u," and Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
On September 22, 2011, it was announced on Mars' website that his new song "It Will Rain" will appear on the <i>Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1</i> Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which was released on November 8.
On November 23, 2011, Mars performed "It Will Rain" on the Top 9 to 7 Live Elimination episode of "The X Factor."
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
At the 54th Grammy awards, Mars received six nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for <i>Doo-Wops & Hooligans</i> , but did not win any awards.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
While he went home empty-handed that year, Mars gave a career-building performance of his 1960s-influenced song 'Runaway Baby' at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
On March 22, 2012, it was announced that Mars had signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis US.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
In December 2012, Mars released his second studio album, <i>Unorthodox Jukebox</i>. In the United States, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with sales of 187,000. The album also charted number one album in Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, it became the fastest selling album by a recording artist in 2012.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Courtesy of Atlantic Records</span>
The album's lead single, "Locked Out of Heaven," topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks and landed in the Top 10 in 20 countries.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
The album's second single, "When I Was Your Man," reached the Top 10 ranking in fifteen countries. It also hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Mars was the host and musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" on October 20, 2012.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: NBC</span>
Bruno Mars is over 58x platinum worldwide.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Bruno performed at the 2014 Superbowl Halftime show and did such an amazing job he was asked to perform again in 2016.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
He's also a talented drummer and often sits behind the kit while performing. He played drums at the Rock in Rio USA show back in May.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
First Lady Michelle Obama is a fan! Bruno performed at the White House Fourth of July celebration this year.
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>
Bruno and Mark Ronson receieved a VMA at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards for "Uptown Funk." It's the jam!
<p><span style="font-size: 9px;">Photo: Getty Images</span>